used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
in actual fact
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
any thing at all
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
BrentnounUS /brent/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
criticallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
FUSEverbUS /fjuːz/
mix together different elements
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
meaninglessadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
having no meaning or direction or purpose
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
the force of workers available
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
not any; not one
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
reformnounUS /rəˈfɔːrm/
a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
stubbornlyadverbUS /ˈstʌbərnli/
in a stubborn unregenerate manner
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A QUICK FUSE Days of restlessness followed that drive to the chapel.
Tusk's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But the work went stubbornly on, in spite of the dull gnawing which made it, and reform--and life, indeed--seem meaningless.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading With this grew another worry, shared more deeply by the Colonel, as time brought no hint of Tusk's fate.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Both men were beginning to believe that he had crawled back in some ravine and died, but neither would voice so dismal a suggestion.
Zack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brent said one afternoon in desperation that they were so heavy and oppressive he was actually creaking under them;--and Uncle Zack, after watching him critically as he walked away, shook his head in doubt whether he could hear anything or not.
